This step
focuses on the creation of stable and reliable processes with a predictable
outcome the main objective of creating stable processes is to avoid incidents
stream firefighting downtime, unsafe situation, quality spills, mistakes, etc.
In other words the creation of an environment where you know what will happen
and what can be promise do the client. Remember that reliable delivery date is
better than a faster, but than a faster, bit unreliable delivery date. For this
you will need stable and predictable processes.

This stage has high focus optimizing the
logistics in work environment, rather than focusing on quality improvement
programs. However creating stable and reliable process where people only focus
on adding value and elimination of waste the quality of the product will
increase as well. In this stage, there are hardly any difference between a
production or an office environment as long as you continue to think in terms
of process, the advantage of a production environment is that the results of
this process (the products) are physically present, while in an office setting
the results of the process (the service) is very often hidden in a computer
system.

The five principles of Lean are the
starting point in this level. Processes are described and established in an
efficient manner by the identification and elimination of waste in the process.
One of the most powerful tools used in this level is value stream mapping. Another
programme that is very powerful for creating stability is Total Productive Maintenance
(TPM). TPM is a strategy to improve the efficiency of available production
resourced and to reduce machine-related rejections. TPM is mainly used in
production environments that are highly machine dependent like automotive and
food.

Besides Lean and TPM also TOC (Theory Of Constraints)
isan improvement approach that is often
used at this stage, toc focuses on bottlenecks in the process or organization.
TOC is also called bottleneck management or constraint management.